Chelsea probably wish that they signed Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma last year.
Kaoru Mitoma was linked with a move to Chelsea in the last summer transfer window but remained at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 27-year-old has since gone on to punish the Blues, recently scoring a fantastic goal against them in his side’s 3-0 win.
Chelsea targeted Alejandro Garnacho in January, so they appear to be in the market for a new left winger.
Brighton could sell Kaoru Mitoma for £66m
Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr tried to sign Mitoma from Brighton this winter but saw two offers rejected.
Understandably, the Seagulls wanted to keep hold of one of their star players. However, it looks like a transfer at the end of the season cannot be ruled out.
According to CaughtOffside, Brighton will reluctantly part ways with Mitoma if an offer of around €80m (£66m) arrives for him this summer.
Mitoma’s name came up in a Chelsea meeting before the start of this campaign, so they could be one club to keep an eye on.
Would Chelsea pay £66m for Kaoru Mitoma?
If you are Brighton, then £66m is a fair price for Mitoma. Again, he is so important for them.
With his six goals, the Japanese wide man is the top scorer in Fabian Hurzeler’s squad alongside Danny Welbeck.
As per WhoScored, Mitoma’s average of 1.6 dribbles per game in the Premier League is also the joint highest among Brighton players.
However, Mitoma turns 28 in May and is not going to have a lot of resale value. Therefore, it is very unlikely that this Chelsea regime goes out and spends more than £60m on the Japan international.
Despite potentially costing more, Chelsea signing Jamie Gittens seems more plausible. Gittens is eight years Mitoma’s junior and is having a very bright campaign at Borussia Dortmund, netting four times in nine Champions League games.
